Create high-quality audio – recording setup
- Use high-quality microphone(s) and recording software.
- When feasible, record in a room that is isolated from all external sounds.
- Avoid rooms with hard surfaces, such as tile or wood floors.
Use low background audio – recording, post-production
When the main audio is a person speaking and you have background music, set the levels properly. This allows people with hearing or cognitive disabilities to easily distinguish the speaking from the background.
Make the background sounds at least 20 decibels lower than the foreground speech content. This rule does not apply to occasional sounds that last for only one or two seconds.
Avoid sounds that can be distracting or irritating, such as some high pitches and repeating patterns.
Speak clearly and slowly – speakers
Speak clearly. This is important for people wanting to understand the content, and for captioners.
Speak as slowly as appropriate. This will enable listeners to understand better, and make the timing better for captions and sign language.
Give people time to process information – speakers, post-production
Pause between topics.
Use clear language – script
Avoid or explain jargon, acronyms, and idioms. For example, expressions such as “raising the bar” can be interpreted literally. This can confuse some people with cognitive disabilities.
Provide redundancy for sensory characteristics – script
Make your information work for people who cannot see and/or can’t hear.
For example, instead of saying:
Attach this to the green end.
Say:
Attach the small ring to the green end, which is the larger end.
